Messi vs Salah Headlines Blockbuster Argentina-Egypt World Cup Clash

All eyes will be on Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday as Lionel Messi’s Argentina take on Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in one of the standout fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.

Contents

Team News
Possible Lineups
How to Watch
Match Predictions

The reigning world champions were pushed to their limits in the previous round, needing extra time to edge tournament debutants Cape Verde 3-2 after the African side twice fought back to force an unlikely additional 30 minutes.

Despite the scare, Argentina kept their title defence alive and now face another stern challenge in an Egyptian side making history of their own.

The Pharaohs have reached the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time through the modern tournament format after overcoming Australia in a dramatic penalty shootout.

While Egypt technically appeared in the knockout stage at the 1934 World Cup, that tournament began directly with the last 16. Their victory over Australia therefore represents the nation’s first genuine progression through a World Cup group stage and knockout round.

With Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah leading their respective nations, Tuesday’s blockbuster promises to be one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Lionel Messi (Photo credit: Fabrizio Romano)

Team News

Argentina were inevitably a little worse for wear after their gruelling two-hour slog against Cape Verde, and none of Nahuel Molina, Enzo Fernandez or Facundo Medina – who was forced off injured in the last 32 – were able to complete the full recovery session the next day.

Egypt’s penalty-shootout triumph over Australia also came at a minor cost, as left-back Karim Hafez was taken off in the 80th minute, although he has trained and is looking likely to be available